Even at the reasonably-early official launching in September (these days), typical late-start, laid-back “Guyanese” are heard to wonder at the seemingly “so-early-start.” Because Mash has to contend and compete with Diwali, Christmas, Big Limes and one hundred and ten pageants, I have sort of “given-up” in terms of experiencing really effective early planning and implementation of preparations for February’s annual Mashramani/Republic Celebrations. We are a blighted people, I’ve slowly concluded.

But guess what! Mash Minister Gail Teixeira - who should consider letting at least one of her portfolio responsibilities go - has convened already, her first National Mashramani Committee meetings plan for Mash 2004. This is as it should be!

We admire the Trinis for this type of sustained forward planning but don’t do it for ourselves. (Then again, we litter in Regent Street but would never dream of so doing in Toronto.) Perhaps a question of self-contempt? Supporting the Mash Committee and Secretariat - and the Minister’s own exhortations every year, I have reason to believe that we, PNC, PPP and me - (I) - must make an effort to make a positive difference this year for Guyana’s next Mashramani, 2004.

Market Mash, sell substance

Six months from today, let’s be proud of what has been achieved. As never before!? Let us experience the Tourism entities, Private Sector Organisations, the Patriotic Media, Airlines, Hotels, even non-rival, non-jealous Ministers, all joining enthusiastically with the Culture Ministry’s Mash Secretariat to make this thing work.

Let’s see the Private Sector heeding Minister Teixeira’s splendid suggestions from her Mashramani brunches. They must contribute. But they can earn much more too. A well-planned, expertly-executed publicity and public relations programme, campaign, (blitz?) must exploit such events as the 110 “Queens” from the 110 pageants, the Emancipation and New York Folk Festivals, Carifesta, Caribana, NY’s Labour Day, London’s Notting Hill Carnival, et al to market the festival. And substance should be sold - videos of the festival’s show pieces, planned concerts, bacchanal/eco-tourism packages for those coming in from the cold and the hundreds of mementoes and pieces of Mash - costumes, music, food - that could be made available to our guests and visitors.

Organise well, invite neighbours

Are we really blighted? Why can’t we do a few of the following early this year - for next February?

Re-establish a reasonably-staffed, competent secretariat with minimum but necessary equipment. Begin now to reach out to calypsonians - can’t they organize themselves? - The struggling steel bands; think about organizing a festival band, what workshops are necessary; let the secretariat go to the ten Regions soon; invite the public and (even) the political parties to submit ideas for next year’s Mash; examine the smallest most modest communities for resources and think about budgets.

If we are confident of Mashramani substance to sell, then we should invite (formally) our neighbours and friends. To be both guests and performers. I mean get to both the private sector and Ministries in Brazil, Barbados, Venezuela, Trinidad, Suriname, Cuba and the always available Guyanese Diaspora. Could you imagine the Carifesta-like contributions, exchanges and understanding our festival could foster then? Are we really just destined to have “potential”, whilst tiny territories better motivated constantly outdo us?

Two favourite ideas

The idea here is to catch the eye and imagination of some enterprising promoter who understands planning. I know that Winfield James supports this idea: we want to see organized in-house calypso competitions at such places like U.G., Banks DIH, Courts and Guyana Water Inc. Best of all, let there be miniature calypso tents and shows in Lodge or Kitty, Georgetown, Diamond or Bagotsville, the Community Centre in Rose Hall. You get the idea?

Of course, every year I share this dream: let some promoter, in Guyana or the USA, mobilise and organise such “old” stars as Johnny Braf, Mark Holder, Rita Forrester, Pamela Maynard, Nesbitt Changur, Lady Guymine, Ted E. Jones, the Ramblers, David Campbell, etc, etc, etc, to come home in February for two or three super-concerts, to roll back the years and recapture, fleetingly, the good times. (Air-fares and accommodation for the stars could be subsidised and takings from the pop concerts, shared.)

If this piece catches the fancy of just five serious culture entrepreneurs, I’ll be satisfied. Especially if they call me or the Mash Secretariat to discuss early action. Away with the blight of inertia!

Be provoked...

1) The proud exiled Buxtonian Dr. David Hinds just wrote: “That the State had no answer to the Buxton project points to a serious indictment of the country’s security and political arrangements. That sections of the Military Arms of the State defied the Government and refused to move against the Buxton project is a telling revelation of the impact of race and party politics on the ability of the state to function effectively. This has implications for the very survival of the state”.

So this actually happened? I wish the good political doctor would elaborate for me.

2) And yes, when will “the State” launch an offensive to take in illegal arms? Search the attendees at certain concerts and sessions. You’d be surprised.

3) The Campbells, the Calders, the Augusts! Now in charge at the other two papers. Can’t stop them. How long in the respective positions this time? Great stuff, fellas.

4) So our Guyanese President of the Regional Cricket Board is to be limited because of his own pursuits? Unfortunate. But see how the Trinis accommodated our boy? Wonder why?

5) Yes it is disgusting! The cover-up that prevents us knowing who shipped the lumber with the cocaine. Integrity of investigations or not!

6) Find out for me Mike Benjamin: Top Sports Officials really want positions just to rent houses? And other top sports officials take relatives and children on tours diminishing their time with the athletes? Find out!

7) A colourful famous Fenty has passed on! Maurice Allan Fenty died at the beginning of this week. His farewell is this week-end. Be there Invaders. Well done Maurice!

`Til next week!